At the Base 99 military conference room, a meeting was being held. The conference room was made from expensive strong materials to prevent any outside disturbance. At the center of the room was a pure white rectangular table, and seats surrounded it. Air conditioning made the room cool and free of tension.
At the moment, all teachers that had to do with the military students combat were gathered in this room. They awaited the arrival of Sergent Fredin. He had called an emergency meeting, this was a rare occurrence so all teachers gathered immediately.
After a bit of waiting the doors swung open, and Sergent Fredin walked through. A Calvary of guards surrounded him. They had their faces covered and were equipped with different types of weapons.
The teachers in the room got up and gave a salute to him before sitting back down. Sergeant Fredin took his seat as well.
His hands were wrapped tightly around themselves, his fingers turning red. He slipped the pleasantries and got right down to business, "headquarters has given new instructions to all military bases. The students will participate in a tournament against other students, through this they will pick the students with the most potential, and make them army agents with immediate effect.
The teachers exchanged looks of immediate disapproval, "This rule only applies to the third-year students right?", one of the teachers asked in a calm voice.
"No, this applies to every student who applied for the military program, but it's not compulsory, you can choose not to let your squad participate", Sergent Fredin said.
"Unless the army plan is to get these kids killed, this isn't a good strategy", madame Evergreen said in a cool voice.
My Sayo agreed with her, "Evergreen is right, the first years have only been here for a few months".
The teachers continued to banter and discuss between themselves, this was obviously a shock for all of them. They hadn't expected this. The third-year students and second-year students could be set free. The first-year student though? Now that was a different case.
After he had heard all their concerns Sergeant Fredin had come to a final conclusion, "I understand your fears about the first years, I understand your fear for their lives. So I'll give you this, in a month, the first years will have a sort of like…mini tournament. They'll just fight themselves.", the squads with the highest win rate will be allowed to fight in the actual tournament."
The crowd of teachers all seemed ok with the idea, they had finally stopped all their blubber.
It was decided that a month away from that day, a tournament would be held.
...
"What do you mean we're going to be fighting in some tournament, isn't it too early for all that?", Daniel asked.
All of us were a bit taken aback, by the opportunity to join the army. It sounded like a spectacular offer. It meant I could see my brother. It meant I could fulfill my dreams.
"I'll do it no problem", I shouted as Daniel tried to reason with Mr Sayo.
He has been trying to convince Mr Sayo not to sign up for the squad for the tournament. All of them were except Devin, he had agreed with it instantly. Delight and Daniel on the other hand were not so keen on doing so.
"Wait you're fine with this?", Delight asked. She looked so confused. Daniel has the same expression on his face.
Daniel began to walk towards me, "You're the weakest one in this squad and you're fine with this?", he jabbed his finger into my my face.
My eyes became blurry, did Daniel really just say that? He never says stuff like that what the heck? "Is that what you all think?", I asked turning around. Trying my best to look at everyone in the room.
Delight and Devin avoided my glare. "To hell with you all!! I screamed, I'll take this tournament by storm. I'll show you".
The air was tense, Daniel and Delight stood next to each other, neatly dressed in their uniforms. Delight held his hand whispering in his ear to calm down. Devin leaned against a wall, his jaw was clenched, and his gaze was on the ground. Why did I do to be stuck with this bunch?
"So I'll be sighing you guys up for the tournament, your training will intensify, and you're dismissed for now. I don't want you training with all this anger".Mr. Sayo broke the tense air in the room.
Instantly I walked out of the room, opened the doors of the combat hall, and walked toward my spot. My favorite spot. The wind made me feel free, it made me feel lighter. My hair flew at the back of my head swerving and swimming through the air.
I got to the field, today the grass was especially green, the light of the sun made it glisten and shine. It looks so lush. The smell of the grass intoxicated me, my body. I sat on the grass carefully.
I million thoughts grazed my mind. I never in my wildest dreams expected to be the weakest in my squad, but it seems that is the faith that befell me. I was going to need to grow stronger. Emotions flooded me, not emotions of sadness, no. These emotions brought nothing but anger and irritation. Maybe my big brother was right. Maybe I should've stopped this army business. I wish my mum was here. She would have known exactly what to say. I miss her.
"You alright?", I heard a familiar voice call from behind me.
"Get off my back Devin, leave me alone", I shouted back.
I could hear his footsteps move toward me. He was not standing beside the spot where I was sitting. "How can I leave when all your friends turned out to be jerks". He gave me a shallow look.
"Look dude take your money, and your cocky attitude and walk out that door", I quickly retorted. He laughed at my comment.
"So that's why you don't like me huh? Because I'm rich? That's just as shallow as I don't you think?" He said.
I rolled my ruses at him, I turned my head up toward his face. "You're aggressive, you're irritating, narcissistic, and self-centered. What's to like about you".
His face instantly scrunched up into one of absolute anger. His hands gripped tightly against themselves. "Look, that's not who I am, I can tell you why I'm the way I am if you want."
I raised an eyebrow at him, I could smell his fragrance. He smells like sweat…he was rich and needed a quick shower.
"Sure tell me why you're an ass"